It must be getting very busy in the Celtic offices as a number of players are being linked with the club ahead of the end of the summer transfer window. It looks as though another defender is now very much in the Hoops’ sights after their extensive injury troubles at the start of the 2023/24 campaign.
Certainly, Brendan Rodgers needs more cover in defence and centre-backs in particular. Injuries to Cameron Carter-Vickers, Stephen Welsh, Maik Nawrocki and Yuki Kobayashi along with the departure of Carl Starfelt, have left a huge hole in the heart of defence.
That was filled last weekend by summer arrival Gustaf Lagerbielke and Liam Scales, but Rodgers would surely be uncomfortable with the situation as big games are fast approaching. So, the news that another centre-back is being targeted should come as no surprise.
Rumours broke out earlier today that Celtic were closing in on a loan move for Liverpool’s Nat Phillips. And there seems to be a superb update regarding the situation.
Sky Sports man drops superb Nat Phillips to Celtic update
It looks like a move is really close. As tweeted out by Anthony Joseph, Phillips is due to arrive in Glasgow tonight to finalise a season-long loan move to Celtic.
Phillips could be an excellent acquisition for the back four with some top-level experience behind him. Aged 26, he came up through the youth ranks at Bolton Wanderers.
Phillips moved to Liverpool as a teenager in 2016 and has had spells out on loan at VfB Stuttgart and Bournemouth. He also has played a decent bit of first-team football for the Reds as well, but mostly when their first-choice players have been out injured.
A move to Glasgow may well suit Phillips as well as Celtic very well. With the derby on Sunday and the Champions League group stages coming up soon, Rodgers does need to bolster his defence. With his pedigree, one would expect the Englishman to at least be challenging for a starting spot.